Posts

Why Investing in a Franchise Is Better Than Going It Alone

January 18, 2018

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator Going into business for yourself might be the biggest leap you ever take. That’s why it’s important to have a safety net. And that’s where investing in a franchise can help put you on the path to success. Here are the top five reasons that a National Property Inspections franchise is the key to meeting your small business goals. 1. You invest in us and we invest right back in you.At NPI, we strive to make your commitment worthwhile by continuing to invest in your success. Whether that’s updating our proprietary software or creating marketing materials based on the latest trends, we take innovation seriously and want you to feel as though there’s always something new in it for you. Unlike going into business independently, at NPI, you have a team dedicated to your professional growth. We’re industry experts with years of experience in home and commercial property inspection, digital marketing and more, so you don’t have to guess the right direction to go with your business. By following our tried and true business strategy, you can dedicate more time to honing your inspection skills and networking with real estate agents. 2. You

How to Hire Great Employees

December 27, 2017

By Roland Bates, NPI, Inc.’s Founder & CEO Great training. Great opportunity. Great compensation. They don’t mean much if you don’t start with a good hire. It surprises me how little time and effort many small business owners put into finding and training good employees. Can you imagine our NPI/GPI franchisees hiring an inspector and then finding out they don’t have a valid driver’s license, won’t go in crawl spaces or are afraid to climb ladders? Or can’t spell “GFI,” let alone know what it is? Growing a successful business requires having great employees. National Property Inspections, Inc. helps its franchisees with their hiring needs in several ways. We help them to know when to hire, what positions to fill, where to find those people, how to train them, how to compensate them, how to supervise them and if necessary, how to discipline them. We help our franchisees learn to be good bosses. And without the proper training, not everyone is a good boss. If you haven’t learned how to be a good boss, it can lead to employee turnover, which is disruptive to any business. We are here to help our NPI/GPI franchisees from start to finish. We don’t

How to Handle Criticism

December 18, 2017

By Roland Bates, NPI, Inc.’s Founder & CEO Take a second and imagine the world’s best restaurant. It’s been voted on and they have their “World’s Best Restaurant” plaque proudly displayed for all to see. Guess what? Every day and without fail someone will say the potatoes are too salty, someone will say it’s too dark, too loud, too expensive, the wait was too long and there’s not enough parking. But they are the world’s best restaurant. What is a merely pretty darn good restaurant to expect? Roses are red, violets are blue–I overpaid for my steak and so did you! Okay, that was horrible but I’m trying to fill a blog. Every business and every professional gets some complaints, justified or not. At NPI/GPI our franchisees don’t get a lot of complaints. When the franchisee invites the client along for the inspection, the client can see firsthand how hard the franchisee works. That the franchisee is looking out for their best interest. The client can see that our franchisees have the training, tools and know how to do the job. And once the franchisee walks the client through the property, pointing out issues and explaining things of interest, their

Leverage Your Gifts and Talents to Stay Motivated

December 5, 2017

By Kimberly Stevens There’s a good chance that you have untapped potential and you may not even be aware of it. While most skills can be learned, most of us are given gifts that come easily and that we feel passionate about. Some gifts are innate; they come naturally. But you can learn skills that enhance these gifts and turn them into talents. For example, a musically gifted child may take years of piano or singing lessons to develop his or her talent. Many have gifts or talents never realized, nurtured or developed that could potentially evolve into unimaginable opportunities. What Do You Love to Do?One way to identify your gifts is to take the time to actually think about what it is you love to do, what sparks a passionate response deep inside. Journaling can be a great tool to help you find your interests, hidden gifts and talents. Writing helps you understand what you naturally gravitate toward and the patterns that emerge in your thoughts. What Do Friends and Family Admire about You?Another way to discover your gifts is to ask family and friends what they feel are your best qualities and talents—you may be surprised at what

4 Quick Tips for Making the Most of Small Business Social Media

November 28, 2017

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Marketing Communications Specialist As a busy small business owner, it’s easy to let social media slip off your radar. But with consumers spending up to 53% of their online time browsing social media sites, carving out a slot in your schedule for posting can mean broadening your reach in ways you never thought possible. Here are a few tips for making time for social media and getting the most from your efforts. 1. Automate your posts.Using a platform that allows you to schedule your posts in advance can be a lifesaver when it comes to making time for social media. Setting aside an hour every weekend to schedule your weekly posts across all social media sites is a great way to make sure that the job gets done, even during your busiest weeks. NPI recommends SocialPilot for its affordability and ease of use. Like all great things, scheduling posts in advance can have its drawbacks. Here are a few things to consider: 2. Spend time online where it counts the most.Chances are that not every social media platform is going to be the perfect fit for your business. For example, you may find that Twitter

5 Tips to Improve Public Speaking As a Small Business Owner

November 21, 2017

By Kimberly Stevens “I have three hints for becoming a good public speaker. You must know when to stand up, when to speak up and when to shut up.” – Charlie Brown Wouldn’t it be great if Charlie Brown’s three tips above were all we needed to become more confident public speakers? It takes time and perseverance to perfect the art, but I’ve put together a few pointers to get you started. Follow this simple guide to overcome fear, improve your ability to speak in front of a crowd and nail your next networking event. First, let’s consider the benefits of public speaking. Motivation is key when it comes to speaking in front of a crowd, and rest-assured, the reward is great. Public speaking can allow you to build relationships with your audience and be seen as an expert on the subject you are sharing. You can make a lasting impression with this type of face to face interaction, creating trust that is invaluable in personal and business relationships. Becoming even an average speaker can have a great and direct impact on your influence with others and overall business growth. Second, to help reduce the fear that comes with public

5 Ways A Commercial Property Inspection Will Help You Save (And Even Earn) More Money

November 8, 2017

By Kenn Garder As a commercial investor, you want to feel confident about your property’s value and earning potential. The key to smart buying? Ordering a commercial property inspection. Here are five ways commercial inspections can save you from hidden costs while allowing for maximum return on investment: 1. Predicts future property earnings.An inspection could tell you what sort of profit you can expect from your investment. Physical aspects of a building are a large part of the financial reports that are prepared to predict the property’s future revenue stream. This examination process is called “due diligence,” and it’s just one of many services your property inspector offers during the acquisition process. 2. Checks for damage from previous tenants.Most property sellers don’t disclose superficial damage or structural problems outright during a sale. For property buyers, a pre-purchase inspection will ensure you won’t be caught off-guard by surprise repair costs down the road. And for current property managers, research shows 1 in 4 occupants shouldn’t receive their security deposit back due to significant property damage. A post-occupancy inspection will help legitimize any decision you make about a tenant’s deposit. 3. Reduces insurance claims.According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average

5 Reasons Military Veterans Make the Best NPI Franchise Owners

November 3, 2017

By Sammi Marcellus, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator As a veteran, you automatically possess the necessary strengths to become a thriving property inspection business owner. Many veterans return to civilian life with a strong desire to be their own boss, as you often have far greater leadership experience than your peers. However, finding an industry that requires a relevant skillset to that of military experience can be a challenge. The world of franchise ownership in the property inspection business is a smart and lucrative route of vets re-entering the workforce. Here’s how each of these military skills can spell big success (as your own boss!) with NPI: 1. Detail-OrientedIn the military world, attention to detail and accuracy is critical when it comes to things like operating artillery and firearms. You know that haphazard work just won’t cut it, no matter how big or small the job. One of the most important characteristics a property inspector must have is a meticulous mindset, and your ability to extensively analyze your surrounding perfectly translates to inspection. Whether you’re inspecting an attic for mold or putting together a list of your best references for future clients, you won’t miss a beat. 2. Team LeaderStarting at